Albert Nyathi, Zimbabwe’s Poet
Albert Nyathi is a legendary Zimbabwean poet, writer, musician and actor who has maintained a name for himself in the Zimbabwean arts industry since the 90s. Albert is widely known for his hit classic song ‘Senzeni Na?’ which he released in 1994.
Early Life
Born into a family of 23 children in rural Gwanda, Albert began poetry when he was very young. He would do praise poetry for his dog when it caught a rabbit or when it won dog-fights against other boy’s dogs as was the norm in those days. He was never serious about school and no one in his village ever thought he would grow up to become successful.
His interest in poetry began at Msitheli Secondary School and Matopo High School. When he went on to the University of Zimbabwe, the Student leaders at the time like Tendai Biti (former Finance Minister) and Author Mutambara ( Deputy Prime Minister) often made him perform in student functions to entertain the students. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts general in 1990.
While at the UZ, Albert featured in a musical play entitled, ‘Mandela the Spirit of No Surrender’ as part of the group Zambuko/Izibukp. In the play, Albert was the main character acting at Nelson Mandela, while celebrated Kenyan author Professor Micere Mugo played Winnie Mandela.
While studying for an Honours Degree, he worked part-time for the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, an organization he later joined full-time in 1992.
Career
Never afraid to speak his mind with controversial lyrics, Albert Nyathi pursued his passion and recorded his first album in 1994 Senzeni Na (What have we done). The song which was emotionally charged classic Albert Nyathi to fame and made him a household name. The song featured other musicians like Mateo, Jays Marabini and Muzi Mangene of the Kelvin and Muzi fame. Prudence Katomeni Mbofana also helped with the vocals although she did not feature in the video but was instead replaced by Naomi Makwena.
The song was inspired by the death of Chris Hani the former leader of the South African Communist Party and Chief of Staff of the ANC’s military wing Umkhonto Wesizwe. The man had spent 30 years in exile, and in a matter of months after coming home, he was dead. He wrote for Chris Hani and every other freedom fighter who had died for the country.
In 1996, Albert formed the band ‘Imbongi’ at the National Arts Council where he was President from 1995 to 1996. The same year he was privileged to perform for the then South African president, Nelson Mandela at the official opening of Nelson Mandela Avenue.
As a way of giving back to the community, Nyathi formed Imbongi Cultural Arts in 1997, an institution that trained the likes of Sandra Ndebele, Charles Chipanga and the Mpopoma High School drama club now called Iyasa, to name a few.
In the early 2000s, Albert was invited by Chelsea Football Club in collaboration with Kick Out Magazine, Westminister Library and Archives and English Football Association (FA) to conduct workshops in London on poetry against racism in football.
Albert Nyathi has since married to Caroline, with three children. He is the country’s representative at the United Nations Creative Artists Advisory Council.
